Green Hydrogen Production from Wave Energy – Novalja, Croatia
This pilot, spearheaded by Leonitus, a Zagreb-based SME, explores the production of green hydrogen using wave energy. The initiative is motivated by the company’s investment idea to develop and deploy a novel technology that captures wave energy through a system of submerged devices installed beneath the sea surface. These devices deform the regular motion of waves, gradually depleting their energy and converting it into electricity, which is then used to produce green hydrogen.
Leonitus will provide technical expertise and engineering support and conduct feasibility studies to assess the technical and economic viability of this innovative approach. The system, to be implemented at the port of Žigljen on the island of Pag, Croatia, will have a planned capacity of 1 megawatt. The total investment value is estimated at €5.4 million, with €2.7 million sought from the market.
The pilot will also feature the application of multifunctional breakwater technology, being deployed for the first time in Europe. The project’s main objectives are to develop and apply a practical system for green hydrogen production from wave energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to the transition toward cleaner and renewable energy sources.
Hydrogen Use in Urban Areas – Velenje, Slovenia
Led by ECUBES and supported by key partners including the Municipality of Velenje, KSSENA, ETRA and IJS, this pilot aims to establish a “local hydrogen alliance” in Velenje. The focus is on transforming a public building into a demonstrative case for sustainable energy solutions using hydrogen technologies. The project is a comprehensive initiative to generate and efficiently utilise renewable energy based on hydrogen in urban areas.
ECUBES is a clean energy technology company specialising in hydrogen-based solutions, with deep expertise in cross-sector energy coupling, storage, and infrastructure. As the initiator of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) and organiser of the Hydrogen Ecosystem Conference, ECUBES plays a central role in advancing hydrogen innovation in the region. Through its participation in NACHIP, ECUBES aims to support downstream and midstream hydrogen markets, accelerate technology readiness (TRL 6–9), enable infrastructure development, and foster stakeholder engagement. Its goal is to create investable, scalable solutions aligned with the European Green Deal.
ETRA, based in Celje, Slovenia, is a leading provider of intelligent automation solutions, with over 70 employees and a focus on robotics, mechanical engineering, digitisation, and automation. As a certified Siemens Automation Solution Partner and official partner of Fanuc, ABB, Daihen, and Kuka, ETRA brings advanced R&D capabilities to the project. Nearly 50% of its business is dedicated to new product development. Its participation in NACHIP reflects a strategic focus on innovation, Industry 4.0, and clean technologies across the EU and beyond.
The Municipality of Velenje, Slovenia’s sixth largest and youngest city, plays a pivotal role in local development strategies. With a strong commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, Velenje is undergoing a coal region transition and is actively seeking clean thermal energy solutions. Its district heating system currently emits around 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Transforming this system into a coal-free, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable model is a key municipal priority.
To meet these challenges, Velenje is focusing on building renovations and energy efficiency to reduce thermal energy consumption. The city’s ambitious climate goals have been recognised at the EU level: it was selected for the Mission 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities initiative and awarded the European Green Leaf 2024. As an experimental hub, Velenje serves as a model for cities across Europe striving for climate neutrality, benefiting from tailored support, increased visibility, and opportunities to pilot innovative solutions like those developed within NACHIP.
Dynamic Hydrogen Releasers – Torviscosa, Italy
Serichim of Torviscosa is leading this pilot to develop and demonstrate Dynamic Hydrogen Releasers (DHR), based on Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology. This innovation supports the safe and efficient transport, storage, and on-demand release of hydrogen, contributing to Europe’s green mobility and industrial decarbonisation strategies.
Since 2006, Serichim has operated as a contract research and manufacturing organisation (CRMO), specialising in the development of (bio)chemical synthesis methods and fine chemicals production. With 14 expert researchers, 800 m² of fully equipped laboratories, and two pilot plants, the company supports its partners from early-stage development to small-scale production.
Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation are among Serichim’s core competencies, and through its involvement in the NAHV ecosystem and the NACHIP project, the company is applying its expertise to accelerate the development of the regional hydrogen economy.
Within NACHIP, Serichim is developing a patented prototype of a Dynamic Dehydrogenation Releaser (DHR) designed to release hydrogen in real time based on the instantaneous demand of the user system. The LOHC-based system enables hydrogen to be stored and transported using existing logistics infrastructure, significantly reducing investment costs, enhancing safety, and shortening implementation timelines.
Throughout the development phase, Serichim is also engaging with stakeholders across sectors to define the technical requirements and dimensions of the DHR units. Upon completion, the technology will be further scaled and made available for licensing to engine manufacturers that use hydrogen as an energy carrier.
Cost-Efficient Hydrogen Transportation Cylinders – Udine, Italy
Faber Industrie, S. p. a., headquartered in Udine, leads this pilot to develop composite designs for cost-efficient hydrogen transportation cylinders. The focus is on improving vessel designs to enhance the mobility of energy storage, reducing costs while ensuring the safe and efficient transport of compressed hydrogen.
Faber is a globally recognised leader in the production of high-pressure gas cylinders and systems, renowned for safety, reliability, and innovation. With decades of experience in delivering advanced solutions across the energy, automotive, and industrial sectors, the company is deeply committed to supporting the global energy transition.
Motivated by a vision to make hydrogen transport safer, more efficient, and economically viable, Faber joined the NACHIP project to contribute to the advancement of scalable, high-capacity hydrogen cylinders. Through this initiative, Faber aims to lower costs and promote widespread adoption of hydrogen technologies—strengthening the foundation of a sustainable and competitive hydrogen economy.
Gasification Plant for Waste Materials – Novalja, Croatia
Led by DOK-ING, a Zagreb-based manufacturer of unmanned vehicles, electric vehicles, and robotic systems, this pilot focuses on developing a prototype gasification plant for waste materials. The universal gasification system is designed to process municipal solid waste (MSW) and convert it into valuable products such as synthesis gas (syngas) and charred residue (ash), which can be further utilised. This innovative project positions Novalja as a potential hub for local hydrogen alliances and circular economy initiatives.
DOK-ING is a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-tech robotic and electric vehicles for demanding industrial applications. With a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and safety, the company has built a solid track record in sectors such as defence, mining, and environmental protection.
The motivation to participate in the NACHIP project stems from DOK-ING’s dedication to driving the global green energy transition. Leveraging its expertise in advanced technologies, the company is contributing to the creation of clean hydrogen ecosystems by implementing a universal gasification plant that aligns with circular economy principles and sustainable energy goals.
Through this pilot, DOK-ING aims to demonstrate the transformative potential of hydrogen technologies in urban and industrial contexts. By collaborating with leading organisations across the North Adriatic region, the company seeks to showcase the feasibility and scalability of hydrogen-based solutions while reinforcing its position as a pioneer in sustainable technological progress.
The pilot investments in clean hydrogen technologies within NACHIP are supported by a Decision Support Tool jointly developed by the Jožef Stefan Institute (Slovenia) and the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (UNIZG-FER) (Croatia). This tool is designed to provide economically optimal guidance on the sizing and operation of hydrogen investment components, helping to derisk future investments and enable the scaling and replication of pilot technologies.
The Jožef Stefan Institute is Slovenia’s premier scientific research institution, with around 1,200 staff dedicated to both basic and applied research across natural sciences, life sciences, and engineering. The Institute specialises in key areas including production and control technologies, computer and communication systems, knowledge technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, environmental and nuclear engineering, and nanotechnology. Its mission is to generate and disseminate cutting-edge knowledge to serve societal progress through world-class research, education, and innovation.
The University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (UNIZG-FER) is the largest technical faculty in Croatia and a leading academic and research institution in the fields of electrical engineering, ICT, and computing. With more than 3,400 students and approximately 500 staff, it operates across 12 departments and over 35 research laboratories. The Faculty has strong international connections, having collaborated with over a thousand institutions worldwide on hundreds of international projects.
Within NACHIP, research at UNIZG-FER is conducted by the Laboratory for Renewable Energy Systems (LARES), which specialises in mathematical optimisation for green technologies. LARES develops advanced solutions for investment sizing, short-term operations planning, and predictive modelling of time- and weather-dependent variables. The lab also has the capacity to apply model predictive control methods in real-time settings.
In NACHIP, LARES and JSI are co-developing a decision support tool tailored to the needs of hydrogen hubs and innovative green technologies piloted in the project. This tool will support investment decisions and operational planning to maximise the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of hydrogen systems, enabling future replication across diverse system configurations in the North Adriatic region and beyond.